947 Cycle Challenge 2019

[The Ouzo]

I prefer the new route. Get the climbing out of the way and than ride down hill into a gentle breeze. What's not to like.

M1 as a "relative" downhill is much nicer.

And not having to climb once inside steyn city is also much better.

[scotty]

No gripes around the running of the race, from the parking (left Boksburg at 4.20am and was parked in by 5:30am) , batch loading was working, PA was audible including the neutral zone warning, plan was not to stop at WP so we could make our 4 hour mark but decided to stop at 1 on the M1 for some Coke when we found ourselves ahead of schedule, plenty of water spray points to cool down was welcome, some more climbing off the highway, kayalami and few other "bumps" then nice fast last km's. Most cyclist behaved and were predictable but odd few that had me scratching my head, we rode 2 abreast left of the road unless overtaking slower riders or groups but still had the odd few that insisted on coming left and trying to push us out right. 

[RobertWhitehead]

I had a good ride - did 100km on the mtb after being off the bike for over 11 weeks. Yes it wasn't particularly fast and I did not ride with the most efficient machine for the terrain, then again that was not why I rolled over the starting line  . 

 

Edit: 

I wanted to add this - I was gobsmacked how many people's bikes were absolutely falling apart. How can you ride 94km with a bike that has not seen the inside of a workshop or even some lube since you purchased it  . 

 

It's like going to war with a rifle that fires only if luck is on your side  . 

 

O ya, and yes, the folks with the charity bikes / ice cream carts / disabled folks shouting at everyone to make space was unnecessary 

[edgarblount]

Saw a rider already loaded into an ambulance on the Kyalami track at about 11-11:30. Anybody know what happened there and if the rider is okay?

 

Saw what looked like an abandoned red & black tandem on a down hill bend somewhere in the Bryanston area at 9:45. The bike was just laying there in the grass with nobody insight. Did the riders come off or something?

[The Ouzo]

Oh, now that I remember, I did see one guy on a mountain bike being very stupid.

Heading down one of the steeper downhills he put both his hands on teh tops of his forks in order to get more aero. 

 

 

I doubt he had any control of that bike, and having your hands so close to a spinning wheel. eish.

[Ashchest]

I thought that's what the fork tops are for?

[Popit]

Ah!!!  I was in the purple/grey jersey. Black bib,  Giant TCR with the pink bar tape :-)

 

Nice picture of you , me and Attie on Cycle Nations pics from yesterday .

[Mojoman]

I had a good ride - did 100km on the mtb after being off the bike for over 11 weeks. Yes it wasn't particularly fast and I did not ride with the most efficient machine for the terrain, then again that was not why I rolled over the starting line .

 

Edit:

I wanted to add this - I was gobsmacked how many people's bikes were absolutely falling apart. How can you ride 94km with a bike that has not seen the inside of a workshop or even some lube since you purchased it .

 

It's like going to war with a rifle that fires only if luck is on your side .

 

O ya, and yes, the folks with the charity bikes / ice cream carts / disabled folks shouting at everyone to make space was unnecessary

ja....there were a few squeeky creaky bikes...made me more motivated to get past them....! I did see one little kid on a 24in dualie giving it horns....I had to get past him for honours sake....!

[Red Robin]

Must admit to a really thick moment. Couldn't understand how there were quite a few people who seemed to know me and addressed me by name and I didn't have a clue who they were.

 

Only realised when I took my number off that it had my name on......

[Scalpel]

Here you go @underachiever and @popit.

[Prozac]

"keep Left " 

 

[Popit]

Here you go @underachiever and @popit.

 

Thanks Scalpel 

[GraemeS]

Did my first and manged a sub 3. It was well organised, tough, challenging, and all together a great race. 

 

Started in C batch, caught the back markers of B, and admittedly I didn't have the legs to help up front on the M1. Many thanks to the rouleurs on this piece. Hopefully I managed to help them on the climbs thereafter.

 

I now wonder why I waited so long to do this race.

 

Will definitely be back next year.

[Ozzie NL]

With results like his, you’d think he might have wanted to be last.

Agree,

 

Know the guy who holds the all time records of 10h+. Started in A and sat around at several spots till he saw the weeper car and rode in front of them

[Vetplant]

Some anomilies on page 1 of the results page:

 

Some people from Batch Y, D and I came in under 2H25, after having never ridden a sub-3... placing them within the Top 100 finishers out of 15 000 people....

 

Any theories on where they won the time...?

 

 

[Escapee..]

Had a very enjoyable day out after only deciding on Saturday to ride and being lucky enough to get an entry.

 

Parked at Monte Casino

 

Started in H batch.

Going through Steyn City, I found a couple of friends and we rode together to Witkoppen.

 

I stopped at the WP on Witkoppen for some sunscreen as I could feel the sun klapping me.

 

Saw another mate standing next to the road just before Hyde Park. Cramps were killing him. Bit of motivation and a rennie from my pocket and he was back on the road.

 

Also saw the spectator under the space blanket next to the road, three or four medical vehicles around him/her, I hope he/she is okay.

 

Saw plenty of E-bikes out there, absolutely flying up the hills. One guy went up the Zoo climb as if it was the M1 .

 

From there pretty uneventful, my cramping buddy came flying passed me just before Woodmead, just to see him next to the road again before Kyalami, he was broken 

Nursed him to the waterpoint at Kyalami. I tried everything to get him going again but he was very happy at the Voltaren station so I left him there.

 

From there I cruised home in 3h52.

 

First 947 that I didnt see a crash